Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-01-21
The EXECUTION.
RICHMOND, VA. January 4. !

Going to the Jail this morning at IL
o'clock. found quite number of persons
already there, and great crowd gathered
on the outside blocking up the Streets
The prisoner had sat up all night hoping
to hear of reprieve. Late in the night his
brother who had been with him, relin-
quished his last hope and told him good
bye, being much affected.
Mr. Crump was with him at noon, but
could not give him any encouragement to
hope longer. At one O'Clock Frank Gun.
ningham visited him and sung three
verses of the hymn, "How Firm Found
aUion'; then taking his hand to say fare
we'll. said.
NOW, Cluverius, tell me for the last
time; are you innocent or guilty ?''
The condemned man said: II am inno-
cent"
at O'Clock this morning he undressed
and went to sleep; waking again at Z.
looked at his watch and slept again till 9,
when he arose, washed, dressed and ate
his breakfast, which consisted of ten
derloin steak. mushroom, egg omelett, hot
rolls and coffee.
Dr. Hatcher came in TO see him at
lis; talked and prayed with him. and IN
about fifteen minutes Mr. Crump, who
had again been to see the Governor, paid
him visit, and it IS supposed then told
him to prepare for death, that the last
chance was gone.
The prisoner declined now to see any
one except his spiritual adviser and coun-
sci, saying that he had no time and was
busy writing. By IL O'Clock there were
probably 200 persons in the jail-yard.
Among the city officials l noticed Serg u
Runnels, of Staunton. The brick pave
ment in the yard where the gallogs stood
had been covered with sawdust, and curl
GUS eyes were constantly examining the
scaffold, upon the cross beam of which
| hung coiled silken rope Of purple, white
and red.
For three blocks the people crowded the
streets and every house top was full, every
tree in the vicinity was hung thick with
men and boys. Some had climbed to the
top of the neighboring telegraph posts
and hung on these, trying to get sight
of the gallows. which was IN view of a
good many from these highest points. 1t
was estimated that no less than twelve or
fifteen thousand persons were around the
prison.
About 1890 the prisoner dressed in a
black diagonal suit, cut-away coat. which
his brother had sent him. and soon after
the waterproof cloak was taken into the
cell.
Up to this time there we're many who
thought and some who still hoped that a
respite would come from the Governor.
Remembering what he, the Governor,
said to me yesterday at the close of our
interview, could not OK pect it. Said he
very seriously, ''In addition to all this
convincing testimony am in pos session OF
other facts that am not at this time at
liberty to make public, that places bis
guilt beyond the shadow of doubt" So,
true to his convictions, Gov. Lee inter-
posed no respite and the prisoner 8 last
minute had come.
Some one asked the guard, Mr.. Dunn,
who would take charge of the BODY. He
said. IF his brother does not will, and
have place to bury him too"
A few minutes before l o'clock the po-
lice came down and cleared the way
through the crowd to the scaffold. Then
great hush fell upon the crowd. as Ut the
further side gate the prisoner appeared,
walking between DR.. Hatcher and Serg't
Smith, and followed BY Serg'ts Allen and
Macon. He had the waterproof or cloak
drawn on over his clothes and wore SOFT
felt drab hat.
Walking firmly down between the lines
of people, he assembled the steps with
steady tread and stood square upon the
trap. He neither trembled nor paled, as nc
looked down upon the crowd aud locke q
away over the top of the hill where q
group upon the top of the Medical College
could be plainly seen. His hands had
been tied behind him, though hidden by
the water. proof which came close down
to his ankles. A Sergeant removed his hat